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Cabinet Countertops |
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| Slab Stone | ||
Slab stone, especially granite, is cold to the touch, heavy, hard to work and expensive. It's so popular, that it's now going into spec houses selling for less than $150,000. Granite comes from all over the world, in a variety of colors and patterns. Prices for materials show big regional differences, starting at $40 to $50 per sq ft. and even lower in other areas. Granite Sold in two thicknesses (3/4" and 1 1/4"), granite is resistant to heat and scratches. Most countertop material is polished, but it also is available in a honed (matte) finish. Requires resealing with penetrating sealer every couple of years to prevent stains. Try sealers containing fluoropolymers (the chemical used in Scotchguard). Soapstone Both slate and soapstone come in smaller slab sizes than granite and in not nearly the variety of colors. Prices of these two types of stone are similar, $65-$75 per sq. ft., not including installation or shipping. Blue gray and lightly variegated when newly installed, soapstone oxidizes and darkens with time to a rich charcoal. It is extremely dense, with better stain resistance than granite. But soapstone is also soft. Soapstone is usually treated with mineral oil. Scratches in soapstone can be sanded out. Slate Slate runs in a wider but stil limited color palette than soapstone: blacks, greens, reds, grays, and muted purples. Like soapstone, slate is relatively soft, although scratch marks can be buffed out with find steel wool. Vermont slate needs no sealers and no maintenance. Slate mined in different regions may be more absorptive. It will occasionally delaminate because slate is formed in layers. PROS: Wide variety of colors and textures, high resistant, very durable. CONS: High cost, some types may stain, slab size may be limited. Can delaminate. COST: $50 to $100 plus per sq. ft. fabricated and installed. SOURCES: |
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Check out all of the possibilities, get a full description, and read about the Pros and Cons. |
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Granite,
slate, and soapstone are the common types of slab stone. Home | Cabinets | Construction | Materials | Counters | Flooring | Contact Us | Employee Bios | Privacy Policy | Site Map 1001 SE Water Avenue ◊ Suite 110, Portland, Oregon 97207 © Copyright 2008. East Bank Interiors.
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